Macedonia of interest.—! am, Sir, Ac., L. H.
"Spectator arrived quite up to date, also three C.F.N.'a, for which so many thanks. The sermons are very nice, and the one you mention Is very straight indeed (temperance). I trust that very many copies have gone to France, as it is there that the great temptation of our soldiers is . . . Drink is, without doubt, fifty per cent. of the cause of the trouble. I am grateful for this experience of travel, but it only makes me feel how wicked the world at large is. The further one goes, still the same sights meet you. . . . With us here there is no trouble, and I am proud to say the men without exception were never looking finer or fitter. The secret is here notice- able and realized by the men themselves. And why ? Because we are away from it all—well away from the things that were inviting, tempting, and alluring. 'What you can't get you must do without, and the result is beauty of face and physique alertness where stupor used to dwell, eyes for the beauty of surroundings and not women and wine. It is a training that ought to continue and would have a great effect for later days. Think of some of our men that now can't face one pint of beer, and prefer cocoa or the twice-a-day tea. Isn't it funny ! And yet it has come about simply because he couldn't get it. Then the cure for the great excess at peace time is, the accommodation and the legislation is put to the task straight away to remedy the evil, and we've got the result. The old complaint it can't be done without is piffle and rot. It's over three months since we got up country, and only once did a barrel of beer show on the sky-line, and that didn't work out at half-a-pint per man. Many who had it were ill, many lost taste for it, some criticized its substance' very many wouldn't pay the price for it. Therefore it can be treated as surplus and not necessary. I must admit the rum ration has been a great medicine and very neces. eary, and nothing should be thrown at the Government for continuing the supply by the T.T.'s—although I have read a few bigoted pare on the matter. It has never been ill-used, and if it has proved a benefit I say, use it. How lovely the lines you attached to the Spectator ('With Christ in Flanders ') I How strange that only last night April 6th) our Padre preached to us off the sheet a real fine sermon. i ow I have seen the deepest meaning they possess, and I would add our double marquee is far too small for the voluntary evening service, where with piano and many harmonious voices we deeply enjoy and benefit. But all are not like our Padre. He is Christ. He is a man. He's with us in pleasure. He's canteen manager for our daintiee at a great trouble. He's his own church-builder practically, and, in short, he is our all out here. Rev. — —, parish unknown as yet, but centre of coalfields, South Wales. The uncertain posts are annoying our patience and parcels are very slow—will drop a card to acknowledge parcel when received. Now I have been writing all this between two thunderstorms, a left and a right ; and it reminds me that you have had a cyclone, or near it, at home, I hear, terrible indeed, and this is a touch of it ; we noticed a change coming after our eight weeks' hot weather. How great is Creation and who knows what's to follow ? This is Holy Week, and it looks like history over again to me—' And darkness fell upon the earth with thunderings and lightnings as He prayed for us : "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."' These are my thoughts of this great struggle. We are still blind, and the poorer enemies are atone blind, and have been led and brought up to worship golden images, and at this time I believe that Christ will die again for His people, and we shall be redeemed and forgiven. War was never like this; it is phenomenal, and the end will be likewise. . . . Daylight has dawned after a quiet night's work, all my wires are clear, nothing doing. Thanks again for all papers. Just received a very cheery letter from home—all quite well and patient."
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